Video on tree felling in Kullu goes viral

Tribune News Service

Mandi, April 12

A video went viral on social media in which a large number of forest trees were shown cut down in Manali area near Jogni waterfalls of Kullu district. A person recorded a video, in which stumps of forest trees were seen in a large number, which indicates that someone cut the trees recently.

However, the Forest department refuted the claim made in the video, saying a person had cut down stumps of snow-damaged trees without the permission of the forest department.

Divisional Forest Officer, Kullu, Aishwarya Raj told The Tribune that the matter came into the notice on Saturday evening, when the video went viral on Facebook and WhatsApp.

“Taking cognisance of the video, a team of forest officials along with the pradhan of the village forest committee visited the spot today to analyse the situation. During investigation, it was found that a person, Mohini Kumar of Vashishth village, had cut down stumps of snow-damaged forest trees for firewood. The forest wealth has been recovered from the offender. The offender had not taken any permission from the forest department to cut down these stumps,” he remarked.

The DFO stated that a case had been registered against the offender and investigation was going on.